A Knox County correctional officer has been charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault after allegedly pulling his duty weapon and threatening a woman he’s in a relationship with.
According to police reports obtained by WGIL through a Freedom of Information Act request, Matthew Ferry told police he pointed the firearm at a woman he was in a romantic relationship with after feeling threatened.
Police responded to Ferry’s female partner’s residence, just after 5 a.m. July 5.
Ferry called police to report his mother’s car tires had been slashed by the woman he’s been in a relationship with, she still had the knife, and was threatening him.
The argument that night was started about a dispute over keys to the car that the woman had borrowed from Ferry’s mother.
The woman admitted to having stabbed the tires of the vehicle, after which Ferry admitted to pointing his work-issued firearm at her.
She denies having threatened Ferry with a knife and says Ferry made a threatening statement as he was aiming the gun.
Most parties in the incident didn’t wish to press charges, including the owner of the car, or Ferry for bite marks he sustained by the woman.
Still, the Knox County State’s Attorney’s Office after reviewing the case charged Ferry with a count of Aggravated Assault.
Ferry could receive anywhere between a year in the County Jail or 2 years probation if found guilty.
Ferry’s first appearance in court is set for Aug. 14 at 9 a.m.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Department says that Ferry was placed on administrative leave after an arrest warrant was issued for him on July 11.
